Faunal Lab

ASC offers experience and skill in sorting, identification, and analysis of faunal and human skeletal material from both historic and prehistoric archaeological sites. This work includes mammalian, avian, and fish remains. Bone pathologies, butchering practices, and taphonomy are a few of the subjects that are studied.

ASC’s Faunal Comparative Collection contains over 300 skeletons of mammals, birds, and fish that are used in the identification and analysis of food bones from prehistoric and historical archaeological sites. ASC staff also makes use of the extensive skeletal collections of the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, especially the Departments of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Ichthyology, and Herpetology.

ASC staff have extensive experience in specific faunal material and dietary practices such as those commonly found on urban and rural, 19th-and early 20th-century households from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

ASC has had extensive experience in the excavation of prehistoric and historic-period human remains. Our staff is experienced in the identification and analysis of human skeletal material, including the identification of bone pathologies.

ASC’s NAGPRA program carries out consultations on behalf of our clients, and our staff is experienced in the sensitive treatment of issues relating to the handling, repatriation, and reburial of human remains.

Recent Projects

For more information on recent Faunal Lab projects please review this excerpt from the 2016–2017 Annual Report (170 KB PDF)